Credit Card Fraud

Protect Your Business from Counterfeiters

Every business that accepts credit cards can become a target for counterfeiters. By elevating your attention to certain details, you might prevent your shop, restaurant, or service establishment from being victimized by this crime.

Common Counterfeit Features

No card is the same, however, quality of card stock, lamination, and printing features are key indicators. Green Dot and other types of gift cards are popular to use as card stock for counterfeiters. Normally these Visa / MasterCard gift cards have integrated numbers on the card, not embossed. Counterfeiters will file off the integrated numbers to remove them in order to use the card stock. Counterfeiters then emboss the card with their chosen number (victim credit card number).

Use a Smart Phone App to Detect Counterfeit Cards

Use your smart phone to detect counterfeit features. Card Info, by Codesignum, is a great free app. When you have the app on your phone, you can input the first six digits of the card. This app will immediately tell you what type of card it is (Visa, American Express, or MasterCard), whether it is a debit or credit card, as well as the issuing bank and their phone number. This is a wonderful tool to enable you to detect counterfeit features immediately.

Numbers & Card Types Might Not Match

As an example, the number the counterfeiters use may not match the card type designated on that card stock. The card stock may designate a different bank than the issuing bank. The number the counterfeiters use may be an out of the country bank that is not designated by the card stock used.

Swipe Information Might Differ from Front of Card

Another key feature of a counterfeit card is that the magnetic strip information containing the account number and name is different from the embossed name and number. If you detect these features, stall the presenter of the card and call the police.

If you swipe a card and notice the last four digits or the name on the receipt do not match the card presented, then stall the presenter, and call the police.

For More Information

If you have any questions or would like more details, please contact the Brea Police Department at 714-990-7625.